BAD belt squeal problem, Solution?

Question

2002 Blazer4.3 with A/C123,000 milesAutomatic transProblem serpentine belt squeal that refuses to go away.What has been done so far.Replaced the Alternator with new factory part due to dry bearings and a bad regulator. Belt was chirping prior to this.Two different new belts, One Gates and one DaycoReplaced the upper idler with a spare.Different tensioner and pulley.AC compressor bearing is OKWater pump seems OK, no leakage and the bearings feel tight with no play.Power steering pump is also in good shape.With it running you can apply pressure to the tensioner with NO change in the squeal. Squeal goes away if you take tension off the belt so it stops.If you drip water on the BACK side of the belt with it running the squeal stops for a few seconds but comes back. If you drip water on the face of the belt there is no real change in the squeal.Pulleys are in alignment and they are not worn to the point that the belt drops into the pulley and bottoms out.What else is left?In the AM I plan on pulling the fan and W/P and bench testing it then manually cleaning the belt path with solvent on the outside chance that something like a silicone got in there.

Jarhead · Accepted Answer

| 2002 Blazer| 4.3 with A/C| 123,000 miles| Automatic trans|| Problem serpentine belt squeal that refuses to go away.|| What has been done so far.|| Replaced the Alternator with new factory part due to dry bearings anda| bad regulator. Belt was chirping prior to this.| Two different new belts, One Gates and one Dayco| Replaced the upper idler with a spare.| Different tensioner and pulley.| AC compressor bearing is OK| Water pump seems OK, no leakage and the bearings feel tight with noplay.| Power steering pump is also in good shape.| With it running you can apply pressure to the tensioner with NO change| in the squeal. Squeal goes away if you take tension off the belt so it| stops.| If you drip water on the BACK side of the belt with it running the| squeal stops for a few seconds but comes back. If you drip water onthe| face of the belt there is no real change in the squeal.|| Pulleys are in alignment and they are not worn to the point that the| belt drops into the pulley and bottoms...

Steve W. · Answer

New

Jarhead · Answer

| > | 2002 Blazer| > | 4.3 with A/C| > | 123,000 miles| > | Automatic trans| > || > | Problem serpentine belt squeal that refuses to go away.| > || > | What has been done so far.| > || > | Replaced the Alternator with new factory part due to dry bearingsand| > a| > | bad regulator. Belt was chirping prior to this.| > | Two different new belts, One Gates and one Dayco| > | Replaced the upper idler with a spare.| > | Different tensioner and pulley.| > | AC compressor bearing is OK| > | Water pump seems OK, no leakage and the bearings feel tight withno| > play.| > | Power steering pump is also in good shape.| > | With it running you can apply pressure to the tensioner with NOchange| > | in the squeal. Squeal goes away if you take tension off the beltso it| > | stops.| > | If you drip water on the BACK side of the belt with it running the| > | squeal stops for a few seconds but comes back. If you drip wateron| > the| > | face of the belt there is no real change in the squeal.| > || > |...

Steve W. · Answer

On the 02 the upper idler and the water pump are the only items that run on the back of the belt. P/S, Alt., A/C, and tensioner are on the inside. It's a strange problem.

Been under the hood for a few years and this one just doesn't make sense. Figured I'd toss it out on the board and see if I'm just looking past the problem.

Big Al · Answer

Not familiar with a 2002, does it have a clutch fan or an electric fan? Ifit's a clutch fan, I'd start there.Al

JRL · Answer

TRy an old mechanics trick. A few drops of tranny fluid on the beltwhile it is running. Watch out for spray.

Micah · Answer

If going this route try talc power. You'd be sureprised. May be a combination of things though. Does it squeel after running for quite a while? (Long enought to charge the battery if something is draining it)

sdlomi2 · Answer

Steve, another mech. trick: CAREFULLY let the back side of belt run across a file--preferably a round one, just enough to 'file' the glaze off the back side.  WATCH your fingers!!!  s

Mike Hunter · Answer

I would look again at the alignment, something is out of line, based on your description.mike

Hairy · Answer

Sounds like a good plan. I had a similar problem with an '02 Exploder. After replacing the idlers and tensioner and the belt, I finally fixed it by cleaning the grooved pulleys with a tooth brush and brakeclean. Before that, I'd tried a bit of oil and then belt dressing. Both just made it worse after a minute or so.

Dave

Repairman · Answer

Goodyear Gatorback belts are all I use now, keeps my Yuk quiet........

BAD belt squeal problem, Solution?

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